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Elijah W. Hummel, of Groton, was found seriously wounded on Friday, Nov. 8, after losing control of his motorcycle and crashing into an unoccupied, parked car in front of Midway Pizza, police said.
He later died of his injuries at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital.
Elijah was born in Iowa, where he learned to love the outdoors and playing sports, his obituary said.
He enlisted in the Navy after high school and was trained at the Navy Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina. He earned the rank of Machinist’s Mate Nuclear Second Class and served aboard the submarine USS Idaho (SSN-799) stationed in New London.
Elijah loved his country, his family, and friends and held an unshakeable faith that guided him, his obituary said.
Elijah was raised in the Christian faith and demonstrated his love for God not only in attending church, but in how he treated people and cared for them. He will be remembered for his kind heart and loving personality, always willing to lend a hand and protect those he loved. Although his time here with us was short, we do not mourn without hope. We know we will see Him again in Heaven, most likely fishing in the river of life.
Mark Feaster, a deacon from Central Baptist Church in Charleston wrote that he worshipped with Elijah while he was studying at the nearby Naval base.
"Elijah's smile always lit up the room," Feaster wrote. "He was a special young man, a humble young man. I am proud to say I knew him and got to meet his family."
A funeral for Hummel is set for Saturday, Nov. 16, in West Des Moines, Iowa.
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